NutriSens: 'We are thankful for this eco-system'

Founded as a start-up seven years ago, NutriSens now has a turnover of €60 million.

Its three production sites in France manufacture specialised food and nutrition products for those with special dietary needs, such as sarcopenia and dysphagia.

Its main customers are hospitals and retirement homes, but a growing portion of its business now comes from online sales direct to consumers.

Business unit director Laurent Herlin explained why NutriSens was at Happy New Food. “When we were a start-up, we were really helped by bigger companies that opened their R&D labs to us. We are thankful for this eco-system and this is a way for us to give something back.” ​

“There can be concrete results that come from such meetings – they have a product that could diversify our portfolio – but it’s also just really inspiring to meet these companies. Even if it’s not directly doing business, it’s about making connections,” ​he added.

La Marmite is NutriSens’ own incubator scheme that helps it do this. In fact, three years ago to hosted Le Boucher Vert (see next slide).

It doesn’t take any equity or licence the products but could help distribute them, Herlin said. “We can help them detect business risks and further their company while it helps us to remain like a start-up. ​

“We are impressed by their energy and way of doing things, and are totally convinced about the power of open innovation. If they have an R&D idea then we can open up our labs so they can try it out in an industrial environment.”​